Tag Archives: “downton Abbey”

I’m crazy about Downton Abbey! I love the cloche hat – so stylish! So of course, I fell head over heels for this pattern! It’s called The Lucy Hat. It’s made with the most amazing yarn called Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in “Hickory” and “Tart”. I had a difficult time tracking down these colorways, but ultimately landed a skein of each from Jimmy Beans Wool. Woot! Woot! (Even though the stock was listed as 0, it shipped to me the next business day! It certainly pays to ask! Excellent customer service!)

I tried to substitute with “Teddy Bear” and “Byzantine” – which are the similar but more muted than these.

Wrap Stitch: I found the verypink.com tutorials helpful here. I was relieved to find that it wasn’t necessary to pick up the wraps in subsequent rows. What a relief! I think sparing us that challenge was kind of the designer.

I just watched ‘Christmas at Downton’ last night. It was fun to see all the cloche hats in action! I love the post-war style; as the ladies’ clothes get a little more simple, their accessories have a chance to shine! (Especially these hats!) My Season 2 DVD has a special feature, in which the actors discuss their characters’ style of dress throughout the season. I love it!

My Knit Notes:

5/19/13: This is my first experience with Madelinetosh. This hickory colorway is everything I was hoping for. It has great color variety and richness. I was going to substitute with Teddy Bear, but I am so glad I didn’t. It was more solid color without the variation that I love a out Hickory. No shedding so far. It’s a quite durable fiber, which is perfect for a hat. It seems like it will stand up to years of use.

5/20/13: short rows done! Ready for the contrast color!

5/21/13: stockinette in the round = knit every round. Why is this so confusing? I wish the designer would just say knit! This is the first time I’ve seen this straight knit referred to as stockinette in a circular pattern. I’m glad I was paying close attention to the model photo and realized there is no purling in the mid-section.

5/25/13: I decided to make the body a bit longer than the pattern suggests. I went for 6.25 instead of 5.25 inches. This is a testament to the customization you can achieve when creating garments with yourself in mind. I love wearing hats low and over my ears a bit. To suit me and to prevent tugging from making the top perfectly round, I added one inch.

5/29/13: All done! Ends weaved in! I decided not to sew down the flap, I think its “adjustability” will be beneficial with use.

I truly LOVED making this project. I have my eye on a similar pattern that will use this same type of yarn. I am a BIG fan of Madelinetosh after this and I can’t wait to order a blue hue for a hat for my husband. It knit up very fast! Since it is knit from the bottom upwards, the challenge of the flap is over right up front and then the easy mindless knitting of the body begins. I loved the top decreases. It adds a subtle sophistication to this project. I also think that this pattern is so gorgeous because it is perfectly suited to this Tosh Vintage yarn. It has enough firmness to keep a shape and enough stability to withstand use during wear. I love it!